BA cancel all flights to and from China due to Coronavirus
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Rockytop, Tennessee, USA
Posts: 5,898
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Reuters update:
Thursday, 30 January 2020 23:58 GMT(Adds U.S. flight attendant reactions)
By Tracy Rucinski and Laurence Frost
CHICAGO/PARIS Jan 30 (Reuters) - Pilots and flight attendants are demanding airlines stop flights to China as health officials declare a global emergency over the rapidly spreading coronavirus, with American Airlines' pilots filing a lawsuit seeking an immediate halt.
China has reported nearly 10,000 cases and 213 deaths, but the virus has spread to 18 countries often by plane passengers.
The Allied Pilots Association (APA), which represents American Airlines pilots, cited "serious, and in many ways still unknown, health threats posed by the coronavirus" in a lawsuit filed in Texas, where the airline is based.
American said it was taking precautions against the virus but had no immediate comment on the lawsuit. On Wednesday it announced flight cancellations from Los Angeles to Beijing and Shanghai starting next month, but is continuing flights from Dallas.
APA President Eric Ferguson urged pilots assigned to U.S.-China flights to decline the assignment. In a statement, the American Airlines' flight attendants union said they supported the pilots' lawsuit and called on the company and the U.S. government to "err on the side of caution and halt all flights to and from China."
Pilots at United Airlines, the largest U.S. airline to China, concerned for their safety will be allowed to drop their trip without pay, according to a Wednesday memo from their union to members.
United announced on Thursday another 332 U.S.-China flight cancellations between February and March 28, though it will continue operating roundtrip flights from San Francisco to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
The American Airlines pilot lawsuit came as an increasing number of airlines stopped their flights to mainland China, including Air France KLM SA, British Airways, Germany's Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic.
Other major carriers have kept flying to China, but protective masks and shorter layovers designed to reduce exposure have done little to reassure crews.
A U.S. flight attendant who recently landed from one major Chinese city said a big concern is catching the virus and spreading it to families, or getting quarantined while on a layover.
"I didn't understand the gravity of the situation until I went there," she said on condition of anonymity, describing general paranoia on the return flight, with every passenger wearing a mask. "Now I feel like I'm on a 14-day countdown."
Thai Airways is hosing its cabins with disinfectant spray between China flights and allowing crew to wear masks and gloves.
Delta Air Lines is also operating fewer flights and offering food deliveries so crew can stay in their hotels.
Korean Air Lines Co Ltd and Singapore Airlines are sending additional crew to fly each plane straight back, avoiding overnight stays.
The South Korean carrier also said it was loading hazmat suits for flight attendants who might need to take care of suspected coronavirus cases in the air.
Airlines in Asia are seeing a big drop in bookings along with forced cancellations because of the coronavirus outbreak, the head of aircraft lessor Avolon Holdings Ltd said, adding the impact could last for some months.
The outbreak poses the biggest epidemic threat to the airline industry since the 2003 SARS crisis, which led to a 45% plunge in passenger demand in Asia at its peak in April of that year, analysts said.
Air France, which maintained China flights throughout the SARS epidemic, suspended its Beijing and Shanghai flights on Thursday after cabin crews demanded an immediate halt.
"When the staff see that other airlines have stopped flying there, their reaction is 'Why are we still going?'," said Flore Arrighi, president of UNAC, one of the airline's four main flight attendants' unions.
Pilots, flight attendants demand flights to China stop as virus fear mount worldwide
by ReutersThursday, 30 January 2020 23:58 GMT(Adds U.S. flight attendant reactions)
By Tracy Rucinski and Laurence Frost
CHICAGO/PARIS Jan 30 (Reuters) - Pilots and flight attendants are demanding airlines stop flights to China as health officials declare a global emergency over the rapidly spreading coronavirus, with American Airlines' pilots filing a lawsuit seeking an immediate halt.
China has reported nearly 10,000 cases and 213 deaths, but the virus has spread to 18 countries often by plane passengers.
The Allied Pilots Association (APA), which represents American Airlines pilots, cited "serious, and in many ways still unknown, health threats posed by the coronavirus" in a lawsuit filed in Texas, where the airline is based.
American said it was taking precautions against the virus but had no immediate comment on the lawsuit. On Wednesday it announced flight cancellations from Los Angeles to Beijing and Shanghai starting next month, but is continuing flights from Dallas.
APA President Eric Ferguson urged pilots assigned to U.S.-China flights to decline the assignment. In a statement, the American Airlines' flight attendants union said they supported the pilots' lawsuit and called on the company and the U.S. government to "err on the side of caution and halt all flights to and from China."
Pilots at United Airlines, the largest U.S. airline to China, concerned for their safety will be allowed to drop their trip without pay, according to a Wednesday memo from their union to members.
United announced on Thursday another 332 U.S.-China flight cancellations between February and March 28, though it will continue operating roundtrip flights from San Francisco to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
The American Airlines pilot lawsuit came as an increasing number of airlines stopped their flights to mainland China, including Air France KLM SA, British Airways, Germany's Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic.
Other major carriers have kept flying to China, but protective masks and shorter layovers designed to reduce exposure have done little to reassure crews.
A U.S. flight attendant who recently landed from one major Chinese city said a big concern is catching the virus and spreading it to families, or getting quarantined while on a layover.
"I didn't understand the gravity of the situation until I went there," she said on condition of anonymity, describing general paranoia on the return flight, with every passenger wearing a mask. "Now I feel like I'm on a 14-day countdown."
Thai Airways is hosing its cabins with disinfectant spray between China flights and allowing crew to wear masks and gloves.
Delta Air Lines is also operating fewer flights and offering food deliveries so crew can stay in their hotels.
Korean Air Lines Co Ltd and Singapore Airlines are sending additional crew to fly each plane straight back, avoiding overnight stays.
The South Korean carrier also said it was loading hazmat suits for flight attendants who might need to take care of suspected coronavirus cases in the air.
Airlines in Asia are seeing a big drop in bookings along with forced cancellations because of the coronavirus outbreak, the head of aircraft lessor Avolon Holdings Ltd said, adding the impact could last for some months.
The outbreak poses the biggest epidemic threat to the airline industry since the 2003 SARS crisis, which led to a 45% plunge in passenger demand in Asia at its peak in April of that year, analysts said.
Air France, which maintained China flights throughout the SARS epidemic, suspended its Beijing and Shanghai flights on Thursday after cabin crews demanded an immediate halt.
"When the staff see that other airlines have stopped flying there, their reaction is 'Why are we still going?'," said Flore Arrighi, president of UNAC, one of the airline's four main flight attendants' unions.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Rockytop, Tennessee, USA
Posts: 5,898
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Europe
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In several European jurisdictions, it is very clear: Management must not knowingly expose crew to hazard.
Airlines would find it very difficult to defend a decision to force a crew member to go if this virus continues to present itself as the real deal.
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Canada
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Health officials in British Columbia, Canada, argued the opposite: as many people are not used to wearing masks, they will frequently adjust/itch/move the mask and increase the likelihood of mouth/nose/eyes and hand contact.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Rockytop, Tennessee, USA
Posts: 5,898
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Turkish Air Force A400M ready to evacuate citizens from Wuhan.
https://www.internethaber.com/turk-v...i-2079708h.htm
https://www.internethaber.com/turk-v...i-2079708h.htm
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Uk
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The R0 and the Case Fatality Rate are completely meaningless at the moment... the R0 because we have absolutely no clue how many have been infected partly because of those with mild illness who haven't presented at Medical care facilities and been tested and also the somewhat doubtful scale of reporting by the Chinese authorities. And the case fatality rate because most are still in the midst of their illness.... look at the statistics ... at the moment out of 11,000 confirmed cases 250ish have died, and 250ish have recovered... this leaves a heck of a
lot of uncertainty about the fate of the others and therefore the validity of
that 2% case fatality rate
lot of uncertainty about the fate of the others and therefore the validity of
that 2% case fatality rate
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Under the radar, over the rainbow
Posts: 788
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The speculation, misinformation, scaremongering, etc. surrounding this outbreak are getting seriously out of control, around the world and the Internet, including here on PPRuNe. Everyone should stop spreading unfounded rumors and try to pay attention to the most reliable sources of information, from people who actually have the best-available data and the expertise to evaluate it:
UK Dept. of Health & Social Care Coronavirus Guidance
US CDC 2019-nCoV Information
WHO 2019-nCoV Information
UK Dept. of Health & Social Care Coronavirus Guidance
US CDC 2019-nCoV Information
WHO 2019-nCoV Information
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Under the radar, over the rainbow
Posts: 788
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Apparently, last spring, he was banned from Facebook and Instagram for "extremism."
I second OldnGrounded in everything...sometimes Pprune are also suggested even on some aeronautical foruns, meetings, symposiuns, etc, along with avherald, jacdec, etc...tons of normal msm are coming here on a daily basis collecting info about aviation,,,IMHO its not healthy at all if we start falling in the typical conspiracy trends.
Paul Joseph Watson belongs to those illuminated who said Malaysia entered a time portal and its pax are now living along with dinossaurs and mammoths.
Paul Joseph Watson belongs to those illuminated who said Malaysia entered a time portal and its pax are now living along with dinossaurs and mammoths.
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Under the radar, over the rainbow
Posts: 788
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Of course there are ongoing projects aimed at developing vaccines, and of course they are based upon understanding the genome of the virus. That does not mean that anyone knows the "required makeup" of a vaccine, only that there is data available to point researchers in the right direction.
No vaccine is "in production." No vaccine will be "in production" until one is formulated and tested for safety and efficacy, first in cell culture, then in animals and finally in humans.
This article provides solid and sensible information on the issue and is easy to understand:
How Long Will it Take to Develop a Vaccine for Coronavirus?
Note that one company asserts that it will have a vaccine ready for testing in humans within a month. That's a pretty bold claim (you can be pretty certain that it is aimed at investors at least as much as any other audience) and, even if it turns out to be accurate, the testing referred to is a phase one trial. Here, from the US National Institutes of Health, is a quick overview of the phases of clinical trials:
Edit: A study from Germany that's just making the rounds appears to contradict the WHO observation, from yesterday, that transmission from asymptomatic carriers may be rare.
Letter to the New England Journal:
I don't think my post implied that a vaccine would be ready tomorrow, merely that it is in production, albeit very early stages.
This article provides solid and sensible information on the issue and is easy to understand:
How Long Will it Take to Develop a Vaccine for Coronavirus?
Note that one company asserts that it will have a vaccine ready for testing in humans within a month. That's a pretty bold claim (you can be pretty certain that it is aimed at investors at least as much as any other audience) and, even if it turns out to be accurate, the testing referred to is a phase one trial. Here, from the US National Institutes of Health, is a quick overview of the phases of clinical trials:
Clinical trials are conducted in a series of steps called “phases.” Each phase has a different purpose and helps researchers answer different questions.
- Phase I trials: Researchers test a drug or treatment in a small group of people (20–80) for the first time. The purpose is to study the drug or treatment to learn about safety and identify side effects.
- Phase II trials: The new drug or treatment is given to a larger group of people (100–300) to determine its effectiveness and to further study its safety.
- Phase III trials: The new drug or treatment is given to large groups of people (1,000–3,000) to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it with standard or similar treatments, and collect information that will allow the new drug or treatment to be used safely.
- Phase IV trials: After a drug is approved by the FDA and made available to the public, researchers track its safety in the general population, seeking more information about a drug or treatment’s benefits, and optimal use.
Letter to the New England Journal:
Transmission of 2019-nCoV Infection from an Asymptomatic Contact in Germany
CNN story with comments by Anthony Fauci (who is definitely the real deal in epidemiology):'There's no doubt': Top US infectious disease doctor says Wuhan coronavirus can spread even when people have no symptoms
Last edited by OldnGrounded; 2nd Feb 2020 at 17:30.
If it does indeed spread without the carrier exhibiting any symptoms, why on earth are these evacuation flights taking place? Surely containment is the best defence against further spreading of a virus, yet .gov's around the world are organising evacuation flights. Baffling.
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Uk
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Of course there are ongoing projects aimed at developing vaccines, and of course they are based upon understanding the genome of the virus. That does not mean that anyone knows the "required makeup" of a vaccine, only that there is data available to point researchers in the right direction.
No vaccine is "in production." No vaccine will be "in production" until one is formulated and tested for safety and efficacy, first in cell culture, then in animals and finally in humans.
This article provides solid and sensible information on the issue and is easy to understand:
How Long Will it Take to Develop a Vaccine for Coronavirus?
Note that one company asserts that it will have a vaccine ready for testing in humans within a month. That's a pretty bold claim (you can be pretty certain that it is aimed at investors at least as much as any other audience) and, even if it turns out to be accurate, the testing referred to is a phase one trial. Here, from the US National Institutes of Health, is a quick overview of the phases of clinical trials:
Edit: A study from Germany that's just making the rounds appears to contradict the WHO observation, from yesterday, that transmission from asymptomatic carriers may be rare.
Letter to the New England Journal:
No vaccine is "in production." No vaccine will be "in production" until one is formulated and tested for safety and efficacy, first in cell culture, then in animals and finally in humans.
This article provides solid and sensible information on the issue and is easy to understand:
How Long Will it Take to Develop a Vaccine for Coronavirus?
Note that one company asserts that it will have a vaccine ready for testing in humans within a month. That's a pretty bold claim (you can be pretty certain that it is aimed at investors at least as much as any other audience) and, even if it turns out to be accurate, the testing referred to is a phase one trial. Here, from the US National Institutes of Health, is a quick overview of the phases of clinical trials:
Edit: A study from Germany that's just making the rounds appears to contradict the WHO observation, from yesterday, that transmission from asymptomatic carriers may be rare.
Letter to the New England Journal:
Transmission of 2019-nCoV Infection from an Asymptomatic Contact in Germany
CNN story with comments by Anthony Fauci (who is definitely the real deal in epidemiology):'There's no doubt': Top US infectious disease doctor says Wuhan coronavirus can spread even when people have no symptoms
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: timbuktu
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If it does indeed spread without the carrier exhibiting any symptoms, why on earth are these evacuation flights taking place? Surely containment is the best defence against further spreading of a virus, yet .gov's around the world are organising evacuation flights. Baffling.
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Under the radar, over the rainbow
Posts: 788
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hope this helps.
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Under the radar, over the rainbow
Posts: 788
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by SMT Member View Post
If it does indeed spread without the carrier exhibiting any symptoms, why on earth are these evacuation flights taking place? Surely containment is the best defence against further spreading of a virus, yet .gov's around the world are organising evacuation flights. Baffling.
Well, some evacuees, at some destinations. Per AFP, France flew in a couple of hundred folks from Wuhan, quarantined the 20 showing symptoms of (some) illness upon arrival and told the rest to go home.
Given the number of carriers who have been moving with relative freedom all around the world since the initial outbreak, and the likelihood that each has passed the virus to two or three others (each of whom subsequently . . .), it's probably not possible to effectively prevent widespread epidemics, even a pandemic, with quarantine and isolation measures. The world just doesn't have sufficient facilities or resources.
Fortunately, so far, it appears that the disease in severe in only a minority of patients and the case fatality rate is fairly low, so we may well escape a real catastrophe.
If it does indeed spread without the carrier exhibiting any symptoms, why on earth are these evacuation flights taking place? Surely containment is the best defence against further spreading of a virus, yet .gov's around the world are organising evacuation flights. Baffling.
Well, some evacuees, at some destinations. Per AFP, France flew in a couple of hundred folks from Wuhan, quarantined the 20 showing symptoms of (some) illness upon arrival and told the rest to go home.
Given the number of carriers who have been moving with relative freedom all around the world since the initial outbreak, and the likelihood that each has passed the virus to two or three others (each of whom subsequently . . .), it's probably not possible to effectively prevent widespread epidemics, even a pandemic, with quarantine and isolation measures. The world just doesn't have sufficient facilities or resources.
Fortunately, so far, it appears that the disease in severe in only a minority of patients and the case fatality rate is fairly low, so we may well escape a real catastrophe.